LONDON – Frontier Airlines has received its first Airbus A321neo that is powered by Pratt & Whitney’s (P&W) GTF Engines.
The aircraft was received at Frontier’s base of Tampa International Airport, with the first aircraft being named “Frederick the Bald Eagle” in honor of P&W’s Founder Frederick B. Rentschler.
Significance of the Celebratory Livery…
Rentschler founded P&W in Hartford, Connecticut, back in July 1925. As P&W says in the release, he was very passionate about such feats in engineering:
“Rentschler founded the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company in Hartford, Conn., in July 1925. He had a vision for viable commercial aviation: the best planes can only be built around the best engines.”
“The company’s first product, designed by the end of that year, was an air-cooled, radial piston engine named the Wasp. The engine transformed the aviation industry and is the only aircraft engine to be designated a historic landmark to this day.”
“The GTF engine extends Rentschler’s vision and spirit of innovation with its geared fan design. It has saved airlines more than 800 million gallons of fuel and over 8 million metric tons of CO2 since it entered service in January 2016.”
Big Frontier-P&W Relationship…
This delivery is the first of 144 A320neo Family aircraft that will be powered by the GTF Engines, with 134 purchased and 10 leased.
Frontier has also revealed that two other aircraft will be named after P&W pioneers, each with its own unique tail design.
Commenting on this milestone was Rick Deurloo, P&W’s President of Commercial Engines:
“We are thrilled to welcome our first A321neo, powered by Pratt & Whitney’s groundbreaking GTF engines, to the Frontier fleet”.
“For the flying public, the Pratt & Whitney GTF engine means a focus on environmental responsibility with less fuel consumption, fewer emissions, and lower noise – keeping fares low and contributing to quieter flights and cleaner communities.”
Biffle: Frontier Is America’s Greenest Airline…
Also commenting on this milestone was Barry Biffle, the CEO & President of Frontier Airlines:
“Frontier is already America’s Greenest Airline based on our young, highly fuel-efficient fleet, and these new aircraft will take us to the next level in terms of operational efficiency and a further lessening of our environmental footprint.”
“The operational performance offered by these aircraft will generate savings that can be passed on to our customers, helping us continue to deliver on our mission of providing ‘Low Fares Done Right’ across America and beyond.”
With Frontier boasting about this, it shows how far the carrier has come in the eyes of environmental sustainability.
Overall…
This is a significant milestone for both P&W and Frontier, and it is clear that with more special liveries on the way, it highlights the special relationship both sides have.
With the GTF Engines offering the ability to operate using Sustainable Aviation Fuels, it is understandable why the special livery highlights Frontier’s approach to sustainability.
It’s going to be interesting to see when all aircraft are delivered, especially with the number of carbon emissions that Frontier can reduce as a result of this choice of engine supplier.
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